Voters in the Long Beach (Calif.) school district have approved a $1.5 billion bond proposal to pay for expanding air conditioning to all schools and other infrastructure upgrades.
The Long Beach Press-Telegram reports that the proposal, which required a 55 percent supermajority to pass, won with 73 percent of the vote.
Long Beach School Superintendent Chris Steinhauser said the results were a sign that voters recognized the district’s need for capital improvements.
More than 2,400 district classrooms lack air conditioning, and district officials have identified air conditioning installation as a top priority. That may require spending about $750 million; the district says that cost includes related upgrades to electrical systems, fire alarms and other work that becomes mandatory after construction commences.
Other improvements that may be paid for with bond funds include roof repairs, plumbing fixes, Internet access upgrades, seismic retrofits and hazard abatement projects.
